Even though Song Ruo pretended that nothing had happened, Consort Li heard her small gasp.
Consort Li quickly turned her head, stared at Song Ruoan's face, and said in a cold voice, "Did you see something?"
Song Ruoan shook her head, her face pale, her voice barely audible: "No, this humble woman didn't see anything."
Consort Li sneered, releasing her overwhelming aura: "Didn't you see why you reacted so strongly?"
"Is this undergarment yours?"
Upon hearing this, Song Ruoan shuddered and immediately knelt down.
She shook her head hastily, saying, "No, I am innocent! I just feel that this undergarment looks somewhat familiar..."
Song Ruoan's voice trailed off halfway through her sentence, becoming weak and hesitant.
Consort Li's expression changed, and she pressed, "Why does this look so familiar? Whose is it?"
"If you knew the truth but failed to report it, I will not let you off easily!"
Upon hearing this, Song Ruoan lowered her head even further, and as if forced to, she said, "This woman thinks this resembles something belonging to my elder sister, Song Xizhi..."
Her answer caused Consort Zhen's eyes to change slightly. Consort Zhen stared at the undergarment on the ground, then turned her head slightly and gave the nanny beside her a look.
The old woman received the look and seized the opportunity to sneak out of the crowd.
Consort Zhen was standing far away and was usually inconspicuous, so no one noticed the old nanny's actions.
"Song Xizhi?" Consort Li savored the name.
Soon, a lady nearby explained, "Song Xizhi is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Anding's mansion. General He is bedridden, and her marriage into the mansion at such a young age is essentially a way to bring good luck..."
Upon hearing this, everyone present suddenly understood.
I see.
If she were to marry into a noble family to bring good fortune, and her husband were to become paralyzed and bedridden, becoming a living dead, wouldn't Song Xizhi be a young widow living a life of ease, never having tasted the pleasures of a man?
In the past, when they were in the Marquis's mansion, it was inconvenient to do anything under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Now that the grand ceremony of Fengshan has arrived, the sky's the limit. She took a liking to a eunuch and they began an affair.
That makes sense.
A murmur arose from the crowd, and Consort Liang frowned and sighed, "So obscene, so audacious, and it happened during the Fengshan ceremony! They deserve to die!"
Consort Li quickly turned to look at her: "On Heyan Mountain, how could Consort Liang say such things? The matter is still unclear, and perhaps someone has framed her."
It wasn't that Consort Li was deliberately trying to speak up for Song Xizhi; it was just that the matter now involved the eunuchs in her palace, and Consort Liang was reacting in this way.
If this matter is set in stone, then she will be guilty of lax governance, and not only will she be implicated, but it will also be impossible for her to temporarily assume the position of Empress and participate in the Fengshan ceremony with His Majesty.
Therefore, if it is proven that this matter was a frame-up, it will not only protect Song Xizhi, but also protect herself.
At that moment, two guards carrying the bound eunuch returned to the crowd: "Your Majesty, it has been confirmed that this young eunuch's penis was not completely severed; he is a fake eunuch and exhibits male sexual function."
The entire audience erupted in uproar, and Consort Li's expression changed.
She then gave the guard a look, and the guard removed the burlap from the little eunuch's mouth.
Once the young eunuch was able to speak, he kept begging for mercy, refusing to reveal who his mistress was no matter how the guards beat him.
Finally, Consort Li questioned in a stern voice: "Your body is not pure, and you committed adultery during the Fengshan Ceremony. This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family. However, it just so happens that the Fengshan Ceremony is held, and bloodshed is forbidden. If you can reveal who the adulterer is, I will spare your life."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Shengzi remained silent for a moment, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke in a hoarse voice: "If this servant reveals the mistress's identity, can the mistress also be spared the death penalty?"
Consort Li laughed, almost laughing in anger: "Your friendship is indeed deep, but you have no right to bargain with me!"
The young eunuch said softly, "Yes, Zhizhi... my love is Song Xizhi... but we are truly in love!"
"She said she was lonely, that she had never experienced the pleasures of a man! She wanted a man! What did she do wrong!"
The entire room erupted in uproar! All the ladies stared wide-eyed.
Song Ruoan staggered and almost fell to the ground: "Is it really my sister? This is impossible! This is absolutely impossible!"
Xiao Shengzi simply said, "She has a small mole on her lower back! I'm not lying!"
"Please, Your Majesty, spare our lives!"
These words caused an uproar. Zhao Qianlan reacted so strongly that she fainted.
"How foolish! How foolish she is! She's so foolish!"
Judging from Zhao Qianlan's reaction, the ladies knew that what the little eunuch said was true.
Moreover, Song Ruo'an just said that the undergarment belonged to Song Xizhi, but the little eunuch wasn't even there, yet they were able to say the same thing.
what does that mean?
Consort Liang touched her nose with her handkerchief: "So lewd, so indiscriminate in her desires, even if she were to live as a widow, she shouldn't do such a thing!"
"This matter must be reported to His Majesty, and both of them must be executed!"
Consort Li took a deep breath and instructed the nanny, "Summon Song Xizhi to me."
When Song Xizhi arrived at Consort Li's residence, she already knew what had happened thanks to Consort Zhen's secret report.
She knew Zhao Qianlan had ill intentions, so even though Consort Li invited her today, she declined.
But who knew that the opera troupe would start performing even before she arrived.
Song Xizhi had a cold and stern face. He was dressed in a black outfit, his hair was tied high back, he wore long boots, and he was holding a sword in his hand.
She is tall and slender, and although her current outfit is different from her usual style, it still exudes an indescribable heroic and dashing air.
Siqin, on the other hand, was dressed in a rather gorgeous jacket and skirt, adorned with pearls and jade, and wearing a cloak. She walked alongside Song Xizhi, with Granny Wu following far behind them.
Siqin walked a little faster, making it seem as if she was walking in front of Song Xizhi.
Those present who recognized Song Xizhi initially thought that the one walking in front was Song Xizhi, but when Siqin stepped into the courtyard, they saw that the two were dressed differently.
Zhao Qianlan was momentarily stunned.
Before anyone could react, Siqin suddenly spoke, sharply questioning the little eunuch on the ground: "I have never met you before! We have no grudge against each other, why are you framing me like this!"
Do you know what a woman's reputation means?
Upon hearing this, Consort Liang suddenly realized something was amiss, but before she could speak, she heard the young eunuch clutch his chest and say with delight:
"Zhizhi, didn't you say you loved me? Why are you turning your back on me now? Didn't you say your husband didn't feel anything? I'm so handsome and dashing, how could I possibly give you any feelings?"
"Her Majesty has promised to spare our lives! We can stay together forever!"
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